Ancient Bosra, Syria

The Nabataean and Roman Archaeology of an Ancient Syrian City

Nov 9, 2009 Natasha Sheldon

The Syrian town of Bosra has a history as a Nabataean and Roman provincial capital, an important garrison town and a major centre of Byzantine Christianity

Bosra in Syria has a long and varied history. First mentioned in the second millennium BC, it has been a Nabataean capital, a Roman garrison town and a major early Christian centre. The site’s archaeology, although unprotected and occupied by modern dwellers of Bosra who live and work amongst the ruins, still reflects some of this past.

The Ancient History of Bosra

The first mention of Bosra was in Egyptian records of 1300BC where it was referred to as Busman. The city’s prominence grew until by the first century AD, it had become the Capital of the Nabataean kingdom of the Middle East, eclipsing Petra due to its important place on the trade route between Damascus in southern Syria and Amman in Jordan.

It was around this time that the city was annexed by the Romans. Renamed Nova Trajana Bostra its position made it the perfect home for the Roman garrison. In time it became the capital of the Roman province of Arabia.

The town reached its peak between 244-49 AD when a Bosran, Philip became emperor of Rome. Many of the city’s public monuments date to around this time, such as the Gate of the Lantern, a huge main gate to the city lying on the main street, which was erected by the garrison of the third legion. The city also became a major Christian centre in the Byzantine period, boasting the largest Christian cathedral in the region in the sixth century AD. Bosra's Roman period ended and its Arabic era began in the seventh centry AD.

The Archaeology of Roman Bosra

Much of the archaeology of Roman Bosra survives. Notable features include:

• The Roman Baths. Although badly ruined, enough survives of this building to indicate that it was an imposing public feature. The octangular apodyteria, frigidarium, tepidarium and calidarium can still be identified.
• The Kalbe. Little remains of this pagan sanctuary built to protect the daughter of a local king, except for some of the colonnades that are now incorporated into the outer wall of one of the modern buildings that litter the site. It is notable however, for the survival of one of its columns, complete with the capital which still bears the stains of the original paint.
• The Roman Theatre. The best preserved of Bosra’s ruins, the theatre dates back to the second century AD. Built to seat 15000 people, it is rare in the roman world because it is totally freestanding rather than built into a hill.

The theatre survived because it was incorporated into the later Arabic fortress. The stage has been partially reconstructed to replace its backdrop of Corinthian columns and the facade of white marble.

• The Cathedral. Although badly decayed and only retaining the shell of the nave and two antechambers, the cathedral at Bosra was the template for the Emperor Justinian’s cathedrals at Constantinople and Ravenna.
• The Nabataean Arch and Column. These mark the extent of the Roman town and the gate of the old Nabataean palace which is believed to lie unexcavated nearby.

Sources

Lonely Planet Guide to Syria and Lebanon

The copyright of the article Ancient Bosra, Syria in Archaeology is owned by Natasha Sheldon. Permission to republish Ancient Bosra, Syria in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The Roman Theatre at Bosra

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